Elder Scrolls Online Beta Slated For 2013

Gamers will be able to go hands-on with Elder Scrolls Online in a matter of months. ZeniMax Online Studios confirmed via Twitter that they'll begin the beta test for the MMO sometime in 2013.

Elder Scrolls Online is set in the same world as single-player RPGs Skyrim, Morrowind and Oblivion. However, it takes place hundreds of years before the events of those games. Players join one of three warring factions and battle for control of the central province of Cyrodiil. They'll also face off against the Daedric prince Molag Bal and a host of other evils.

ESO has been in development since 2007, the year that ZeniMax Online was founded. When the game was first announced, ZeniMax said that the full version would launch in 2013. If they plan to hold a beta next year, a 2013 launch still seems possible.

No details have been announced for the beta yet. Director Matt Firor suggested in an Edge interview that it would involve thousands of players and would be very lengthy. However, that describes pretty much every MMO beta.

ZeniMax added on Twitter that additional beta details will be announced through Twitter, Facebook or the game's official website. Following them on Twitter and Facebook is a good way to stay in the know. The ESO site has a news section devoted solely to beta information, though it's blank at the moment. Presumably they'll add a sign-up form for testing in the early months of next year.